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Hispanic Heritage Month
ABOUT HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH (SEPT. 15 - OCT. 15) |
Each year, Americans observe Hispanic Heritage by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
It all started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for the Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Dia de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30-day period.
HISTORY OF LATINO AMERICANS IN THE AMERICAS FROM PBS | ||
A LOOK AT HISPANIC ARTS AND MUSIC | |
| Video: Ballet Folkórico México Danza performing a Jalisco dance piece for the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival on June 18, 2016. This performance highlights the Jalisco style of dancing, but there are many others that reflect regions like Chihuahua and Sinaloa. But more broadly include Salsa, Mambo, Merengue, Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Bachata, and Samba. Spanish dance styles include the Fandango, Bolero, Sevillanas, Sardana, Jota, and the one most known, the Flamenco. | |
| Video: Mariachi Sol de México, led by Grammy-nominated conductor/bandleader Jose Hernandez, recently visited The Recording Academy for an exclusive performance of the mariachi standard Guadalajara. | |
| Video: Annually, in June, before Inti Raymi, Cusco has weeks of events called Fiestas del Cusco. Day after day there are hundreds of Andean and Peruvian traditional dance groups along with traditional music in the main plaza. | |
| Video: El Salvado Folk Dance at the South American Latino Festival in Federation Square. | |
| Video: Folk music and images of the countries that they originate from in Central America. | |
A TASTE OF HISPANIC CUISINE | |
Mexican Street Food in Oaxaca, Mexico is known as some of the BEST street food in the world. | The Mistura Festival is known as the biggest food festival in South America. |
Explore the colorful cuisine of South America with passionate chefs and home-cooks. | Best Ever Food Review Show highlights Cuban village food and how it is cooked. |
A LOOK INTO HISPANIC HOLIDAYS & TRADITIONS |
RECOMMENDED READING MATERIALS AT YOUR LIBRARY |
The following resources are available at your library. The Mockingbird Branch hosts collections of Spanish-language films. The films listed here are geared toward a younger audience or families with children.
- Belton, D., & Fritz, S. (2013). Latino Americans: the 500-Year Legacy that Shaped a Nation (DVD). Public Broadcasting Service.
- Stavans, I., & Acosta-Belen, E. (2011). The Norton Anthology of Latino Literature. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.
- Caro, N. (2020). McFarland, USA (DVD).
- Gregory, N. (2007). Selena (DVD). Burbank, CA: Warner Brothers Pictures.
- Ramon, M. (2010). Stand and Deliver (DVD). Burbank, CA: Warner Brothers.
- Valdez, L. (1987). La Bamba (DVD). Culver City, California: Columbia Pictures.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE |
Follow the link to take a short test to see how much you learned about Hispanic Heritage Month.